Celebrate your team's impact and inspire the profession. Enter the Nursing Times Workforce Awards today.

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The Nursing Times Workforce Awards celebrate innovation, dedication and outstanding achievement in workforce strategy across nursing and midwifery.

With 19 categories , the awards recognise organisations and individuals transforming recruitment, retention, professional development and workplace culture across the sector through impactful, evidence-based initiatives and leadership.

What’s new for 2026?

For 2026, we’ve introduced new categories recognising emerging and senior leadership , alongside a number of refreshed categories to better reflect the evolving workforce landscape — making it easier than ever to showcase your impact.

Winning or being shortlisted raises your profile, showcases best practice, and provides well-deserved recognition for your hard work. It’s your chance to celebrate achievements, share innovations, and inspire positive change across the sector.

In 2026, the Awards will take place in the evening following the Nursing Leaders conference at the same venue earlier that day, creating a full day dedicated to leadership and workforce excellence in nursing.

Good news! The entry deadline has been extended to Friday, 17 July. If you haven't submitted your application yet, you now have additional time to apply. We encourage all eligible applicants to complete and submit their application by the new closing date.

New closing date: Friday, 17 July

Join us on Tuesday, 24 November 2026, at the Hilton London Metropole.

View the categories and enter now

NT Workforce Summit & Awards in numbers

500+ Entries

700+ Awards attendees

60+ Speakers

200+ Online Attendees

300+ Summit attendees

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You have until Friday 17 July 2026 to submit your award-winning application.

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Great appreciation of teams and individuals

Georgina Tain Lead Clinical educator – theatres University Hospitals Birmingham Foundation NHS Trust

Amazing to be recognised for the hard work that is being done.

Andrea Wilson Community Staff Nurse Newcastle upon Tyne hospitals NHS Foundation trust

It was such a great event and having been chosen to attend was a great honour.

Rosemary Dougan Nursing Associate Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust

It was fabulous, overwhelming and excellent awards night!

Cynthia Punzal Staff Nurse/Educator Midyorks

The event was a celebration of nursing excellence. It was great to experience this event, network and share in the successes.

Carla Vidale Community Matron South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

We are absolutely over the moon to win this award tonight. We are so very proud because the project means so much to us.

Best Workplace for Learning & Development, South Tees Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust & South Tyneside & Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

This is absolutely testament to the work these guys do. In making sure international nurses settle in well and achieve their career goals.

Best International Recruitment Experience, Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust

I've never had an award before of this nature and to see so many marvellous entries and to be the top one is outstanding.

Best Social Responsibility Programme, Hywei Dda University Health Board

This is about the communities of action out there. The internationally educated workforce that built this up. It's not about us it's about the people.

Best Employer for Staff Recognition and Engagement, NHS England North East & Yorkshire and SW Region, NHS England Retention Team

I feel very proud and blessed. One, that I got nominated. two, that I'm here, and three that the judges chose to accept me today. I feel really happy about it.

It's one of the most prestigious awards out there that recognises the nursing workforce. So, it's such a privilege and an honor to win.

Overseas Nurse of the Year. University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust. Paul John Alegado

Key dates

Entry deadline	17 July 2026
Stage 1 Judging: Online judging	27 July 2026 - 07 August 2026
Shortlist informed/announced	20 August 2026
Stage 2 Judging: Roundtable or Face to face (category dependant)	05 October 2026 - 07 October 2026
Awards evening	24 November 2026